By: Jeremiah Holloway (’22), Staff Writer
As we conclude Women’s History Month, it would be remiss of us not to look at the achievements of Black women in various entertainment industries. As the Grammys, Emmys, and Oscars are the most popular award shows year after year, I chose to explore these shows specifically.
Clearly, music is an industry in which Black women seem to be the most successful, as the nominees are the most populous in the Grammys category. Despite the over 20 nominations among the group (solo or collaborative), just five Black women were awarded a Grammy. The biggest highlight of the night was Cardi B becoming only the second woman ever to bring home a Grammy for the Best Rap Album. Lauryn Hill won with the Fugees in 1997, and in the 23-year history of the award, Cardi B is the only woman to win it for a solo album.
Women of color still saw success within the acting space, as women in the Oscar and Emmy awards earned three and four wins, respectively. Society recognizing Black culture in film is crucial, especially in today’s social climate. The success of Black Panther, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Blackkklansman over the past year is a great sign of public interest in socially conscious material.
Here, I have a complete list of nominees and winners of these events. The results of the Emmy awards are from 2018 as this year’s show will be in September. The wins and even nominations of Black women in these award shows demonstrate the growing respect they are gaining in their respective industries.
Grammys
Nominated
- Amber Mark
- Bettye LaVette
- Beyonce (With The Carters)
- Cardi B
- Cecile McLorin Salvant
- Chloe x Halle
- Ella Mai
- Etana
- Fatoumata Diawara
- H.E.R.
- Janelle Monae
- Jekalyn Carr
- Jorja Smith
- Kenita R. Miller
- Koryn Hawthorne
- Lalah Hathaway
- Linda Perry
- Tiffany Haddish
- Merle Dandridge
- Hailey Kilgore
- Regina Carter
- SZA
- Tia Fuller
- Tierra Whack
- Toni Braxton
- Whitney Houston (posthumous)
Winners
- Beyonce, Best Urban Contemporary Album (Everything is Love)
- Cardi B, Best Rap Album (Invasion of Privacy)
- Cecile McLorin Salvant, Best Jazz Vocal Album (The Window)
- Ella Mai, Best R&B Song (Boo’d Up)
- H.E.R., Best R&B Performance (Best Part), Best R&B Album (H.E.R.)
Emmys (2018)
Nominated
- Adina Porter
- Amber Ruffin
- Ashley Nicole Black
- Cicely Tyson
- Diarra Kilpatrick
- Issa Rae
- Kelly Jenrette
- Leslie Jones
- Letitia Wright
- Regina King
- Sam Jay
- Samira Wiley
- Stefani Robinson
- Thandie Newton
- Tiffany Haddish
- Tracee Ellis Ross
- Viola Davis
- Wanda Sykes
- Zazie Beetz
Winners
- Regina King, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (Seven Seconds)
- Samira Wiley, Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (The Handmaid’s Tale)
- Thandie Newton, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Westworld)
- Tiffany Haddish, Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Saturday Night Live)
Oscars
Nominations
- Hannah Beachler
- Regina King
- Ruth Carter
- SZA
Winners
- Hannah Beachler, Production Design (Black Panther)
- Regina King, Actress In A Supporting Role (If Beale Street Could Talk)
- Ruth Carter, Costume Design (Black Panther)
